The new MPs are demanding a shorter workday and some debates should be conducted online. They also want more family-friendly arrangements.
To maximize MP attendance, the group proposes that the Commons sits for six hours instead of the current eight-hour period, from 10am-4pm.
The Times reports that the government also wants to end evening work in Parliament which meets until 10.30pm Mondays.
Some votes could also be conducted virtually using Microsoft Teams or other platforms, which were used in the past during the pandemic and were then curtailed by the previous government.
The new Labour government has created a cross-party Modernisation Committee to update the working practices.
The Committee is now asking for submissions on priority issues. Submissions are due by 16 December.
Lucy Powell, the leader of the House of Commons, and chair of Modernisation Committee said in response to the call: “In the last few years, the reputation of parliament has been tarnished.” The Modernisation Committee has been established and is currently looking into how to change Parliament in order to improve standards, working practices and culture as well as make House of Commons Procedures more effective.
She said that there was already “a great deal of interest” in committee work, and she insisted the committee wanted to hear “from as many people as possible” about its priorities.
Powell said: “We’re committed to working with Speaker Powell, Commons committees and smaller parties to bring about positive change.” The Committee is eager to get started.
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